Step 1. Contact your local housing office
Discuss your concerns with your local housing office. If you are still not happy with the decision, you can put in an appeal.
Step 2. Submit your appeal
It’s best if you start your appeal as soon as possible. It is free to appeal and your appeal will be confidential, but you do need to put it in writing. To appeal a decision you will need to fill in the Housing Appeal Application Form and submit it to the Housing Appeals Office. Explain what you’re appealing against and why. You will need to include copies of any documents that support your case.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your application contact the Housing Appeals Office on 03 9096 7426 or 1800 807 702 (freecall) for country residents or contact us for advice on 1800 068 860.
Step 3. Response from Housing Services Manager
Once you submit your application for an appeal you will receive a letter of receipt from the Housing Appeals Office.
Your appeal will initially be considered by more senior housing staff in your local region on the basis of the information provided in your application.
A Housing Services Manager should contact you to advise you of the outcome of this initial review within 10 working days of the date that your appeal is received.
Step 4. Response from Manager of Housing Appeals
If the Housing Services Manager does not change the original decision then it will be sent to the Manager of Housing Appeals who will independently check whether the Director of Housing’s policy and procedures were correctly applied.
The Appeals Manager may contact you to discuss your appeal over the telephone or to arrange an interview. In this interview, you will be able to explain your situation and provide further information. You may request that an interpreter be used in any interview.
If the Appeals Manager hasn’t contacted you within one month of submitting your appeal, you should phone the Housing Appeals Office.
Once your appeal has been investigated by the Housing Appeals Office, you will be sent a letter advising you of the outcome.
Step 5. Ombudsman or Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
If you are not happy with your Housing Appeals outcome you can contact the Victorian Ombudsman or, if you believe you are being discriminated against, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.